Demorest, GA -- Loudermilk Field on the campus of Piedmont College will serve as the host site for the upcoming Great South Athletic Conference Baseball championship.  Play will open this Friday, April 23 with two games already set and continue through the weekend culminating with a championship round on Sunday, April 25.

The first game is a 2:00 match-up between top seed LaGrange College and the #4 seed Huntingdon College Hawks.  The Panthers of LaGrange earned their #1 seed by virtue of a 6-3 conference mark but dropped two of three earlier this season to their Friday night opponent as Huntingdon took the season series from the Panthers.  The Hawks take the #4 seed into this weekend's championship claiming a 4-5 record in GSAC play.

The nightcap game on Friday night will see the home team Lions of Piedmont College take on a familiar foe in the Maryville College Scots.

Piedmont carries the #2 seed into the tournament while Maryville arrives in town as the #3 seed with the game set for 7:00.   Though the two schools have identical 4-5 records in GSAC play, the Lions will claim the higher seed of the two as PC took two of three at Maryville College earlier this season.

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LaGrange, GA -- The Piedmont College baseball team could not avoid the series sweep this afternoon dropping a tight 3-2 decision to Great South Athletic Conference member LaGrange College.  The Lions scored the only earned run in the contest as two Piedmont errors led to all three Panther scores.

LaGrange got on the board first with three unearned runs on an error by Piedmont in the bottom of the second inning.  The Lions would pull within two in the top of the third when Curtis Cornett singled to score teammate Scott Haddock.

 
With the score still at 3-1 in the top of the eighth, the Lions continued to battle as another Cornett RBI cut the Panthers' lead down to just a single run.  The rally would end there as LaGrange took the third and final game of the weekend series by a 3-2 score.
Pitcher Dusty Black took the tough luck loss for the Lions going seven innings without allowing an earned run.  The junior from Commerce, GA struck out three while allowing only three walks in his fourth loss of the season.

The loss drops Piedmont to 18-16 overall and 4-5 in conference play.  PC will enter the GSAC tournament on April 23 as the #2 seed facing conference rival Maryville College.  The Lions will play their final remaining regular season contests when they travel to Sewanee-University of the South on Tuesday, April 20 for a doubleheader set to begin at noon.

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Maryville, TN -- The Piedmont College baseball team claimed its second conference series of the season defeating Great South Athletic Conference member Maryville College 12-6 this afternoon.  Nine different Lions collected at least one hit in the win as Piedmont took two of three from the Scots in the weekend series.

After senior Corey Lindsey led off the top of the first with single, outfielder Kyle Davis stepped up to hit his third home run of the year giving PC a 2-0 lead.  Maryville would not take long to grab its first lead of the game scoring three runs in the home half of the first.

Junior John Duke then put the Lions back in front with a bases clearing RBI double in the top of the third inning.  Jared Vermilya and Corey Lindsey then added RBI singles to put Piedmont ahead 6-3 after three innings.

PC would tack on six runs down the stretch while only allowing three to the host Scots for a 12-6 series-clinching victory.   Junior Dusty Black picked up the win on the mound for the Lions tossing six innings allowing three runs while striking out six.

With the win, Piedmont now moves to 18-13 overall while improving to 4-2 in GSAC play.  The Lions will return to the diamond at 7:00 on Friday, April 16 for the first of a three-game weekend set with LaGrange College that will decide the GSAC regular season champion.

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Demorest, GA -- The Piedmont College baseball team used a NCAA-era school record five home runs to blow past in-state foe Oglethorpe University 26-3 this evening extending their season high winning streak to six games.  The Lions scored multiple runs in all but two innings as they evened the season series with the host Stormy Petrels at one game apiece.

Piedmont never trailed scoring two early runs in the first inning on an RBI from junior John Duke before adding two more in the fourth.  After Oglethorpe cut PC's lead in half with two runs in the home half of the fourth, the Lions went on to add twenty two more scores over the next five innings en route to the 26-3 victory.

Offensively, Piedmont was led by Curtis Cornett  who had a career day at the plate going 5-7 knocking two out of the park and tallying seven RBIs.  The Lions also received contributions from teammates Daniel Rivera and Jared Vermilya who hit a homer each as the team surpassed the school record for home runs in a season with 20 in 2010.

Senior catcher Zac Stein also got in on the offensive action adding a three run shot and stealing two bags to help the Lions to a NCAA-era school record for runs in a game with twenty six.  Sophomore Matt Bolt was a perfect 2-2 at the plate while tallying three RBIs and scoring two more himself.
On the mound, freshman Brannon Humphries picked up his first collegiate win allowing only one hit and no runs to the hosting Stromy Petrels.
With the win, the Lions now move to 16-12 overall while improving their record against teams from the state of Georgia to 4-1.  Piedmont will return to the diamond on Friday, April 9 at 7:00 as they visit Great South Athletic Conference host Maryville College for the first of a three-game weekend set.

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LaGrange, GA -- The Piedmont College men's basketball team earned a Great South Athletic Conference victory this evening at the hands of host LaGrange College by the score of 84-76.

The Lions offense connected on 51% of their attempts including 7-14 (50%) from behind the arc en route to the team's 10th win of the season.

Piedmont (10-6, 2-0 GSAC) will return to the hardwood on Sunday, January 24th as they look to even the season series with Rust College at Cave Arena with tip-off slated for 4:00.

After taking the final lead change of the game at the 18-minute mark the Lions went on a 12-4 spurt to regain control 15-8, highlighted by five points from senior Sam Coppage. The men would match the seven-point lead four more times before intermission and entered the locker room with a 46-42 advantage.

In the first nine minutes of the second frame Piedmont's defense clamped down holding the opposition to a mere six points and taking a game-best 16-point lead. LC chipped away at the margin cutting the score to 74-69 with four minutes remaining in regulation.

The Lions would hold strong in the closing minutes hitting five shots from the charity stripe to seal the eight-point victory.

Senior J.C. Herebia led the offensive charge with 20 points while Michael Rubio closely followed with 18. Coppage added 13 points including a perfect 2-2 from behind the three-point line.

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LaGrange, GA -- The Piedmont College women's basketball team hit the road this evening and fell to Great South Athletic Conference host LaGrange College by the score of 102-80. The loss marks the first time this season the Lady Lions (5-11, 4-2 GSAC) opponent has passed the 100-point mark.

In a first half that featured four lead changes PC held the edge 19-13 with 12 minutes remaining but saw the home team rattled off a 14-0 run capitalizing on three missed baskets and turnovers respectively. The Panthers continued to roll ending the half on a 23-7 spurt to take a commanding 58-33 lead into intermission.

LC continued the offensive attack in the second period extending the margin to a game-high 35 points with 12 minutes left in regulation. The Lady Lions ended the game on a 12-0 run but it was not enough to overcome the deficit as the Panthers walked away with the 22-point victory.

The key difference in the game was from behind the three point line where the hosts connected on a blistering 12-18 (67%) while PC was able to connect on 1-3 (8%) from downtown.

Sada Wheeler led four in double figures with 13 points and nine rebounds. Laura Simmons added 12 points while Alyssa Jones and Mandy Beasley chipped in with 10 points apiece.

The loss snapped a 14-game winning streak over LaGrange.

The Lady Lions will return to action again on Saturday, January 23rd as they travel to GSAC member Spelman College in Atlanta, GA beginning at 2:00.

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Demorest, GA -- In the first Great South Athletic Conference showdown of the season the Piedmont College men's basketball team powered past Huntingdon College this afternoon at Cave Arena by the score of 92-78. The Lions placed four in double figures and outscored the opposition 45-25 off the bench en route to the victory.

The Lions, now 9-6 overall and 1-0 in the Great South, will travel for the next conference matchup on Wednesday, January 20th as they visit LaGrange College in LaGrange, GA slated to begin at 8:00.

Just three minutes into the first half the Lions used a 16-1 run highlighted by four tri-fectas to take the final lead change of the contest at the 13-minute mark. The men would maintain a double digit advantage for the remainder of the period and entered the locker room with a comfortable 47-35 advantage.

After the Hawks cut the margin to 11 two minutes into the second period, the Lions went on a 9-0 spurt with eight of the points coming in the paint. With just under three minutes remaining in regulation the Hawks would cut the margin to 79-71 but the Lions iced the game at the charity stripe, led by Sam Coppage going a perfect 8-8 from the line.

Of Piedmont's 33 baskets, 22 were assisted and 11 came from behind the three-point line. Both teams committed just eight turnovers and the Hawks held the slight edge on the glass 49-47.

Seniors J.C. Herebia and Coppage led the unit with 17 points respectively while Coppage added a game-high eight assists. Freshman Tyler Arnold provided a spark off the bench as he added 16 points inlcuding a squad-best three tri-fectas while Peter Ricks added 12 points.

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Demorest, GA -- The Piedmont College women's basketball team earned its fourth Great South Athletic Conference victory this afternoon against visiting Huntingdon College by the score of 92-68 marking the highest scoring output of the season. The Lady Lions, who never trailed, extend their current home-winning streak to three games at Cave Arena.

The women jumped out with the first six points of the contest, all coming in the paint from Sada Wheeler. After increasing the margin and leading by 12 with five minutes remaining the Lady Lions distanced themselves with a 10-1 run over the next four minutes to lead by a period-high 23 points.

After intermission the teams played almost even with the Lady Hawks never trailing by less than 17 points. When the final buzzer sounded PC walked away with the decisive 24-point victory.

The Lady Lions dominated inside doubling up the visitors 36-18 in the paint. Piedmont also capitilized on 17 turnovers turning them into 25 points and showed its depth with 48 points off the bench. The Lady Lions hit 31-68 (46%) of their attempts from the floor and saw 13 players post points.

Wheeler narrowly missed a triple-double with 16 points and nine rebounds and nine blocks. Alyssa Jones and Lindsey Logan added 12 and 11 points apiece while Lindsey Wiley chipped in with nine points and a game-high four assists.

The Lady Lions, now 5-10 overall and 4-1 in the GSAC, will travel to conference foe LaGrange College in LaGrange, GA on Wednesday, January 20th for a 6:00 tip off.

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Atlanta, GA -- The Piedmont College women's basketball team dropped a 67-61 non-conference decision at in-state rival Emory University tonight at EU's Woodruff PE Center.  The loss drops PC to 4-10 overall on the season.

Piedmont opened the game with a jumper from Laura Simmons only to see the host Eagles respond with a quick 10-2 run to take control of the game.  Emory led for all but three minutes and seventeen seconds in the first half and built a pair of 12-point margins en route to claiming a 34-27 advantage at halftime.

Piedmont battled back to within two points at 43-41 with 11:38 left in the contest following a bucket by Sada Wheeler but the Eagles countered with an impressive 18-2 burst , hitting seven-of-eight from the floor, that upped their lead to 61-43 with 7:27 on the clock. The Eagles would post a pair of 19-point margins, the last with 2:27 remaining, before the Emory bench was emptied into the game.

Piedmont showed its fight and finished the game with a 13-0 run in the final few minutes to wrap up the game's scoring at 67-61. 

Emory shot 42.4 percent from the floor (28-of-66) in the contest while Piedmont finished with a 33.3 percent mark (22-of-66). The Eagles shot a season-high 38.9 percent (7-of-18) from three-point range compared to the Lady Lions' 28.6 percent effort (4-of-14). Emory also held a 46-41 edge in the rebounding department.  PC used its pressure defense to grab 14 steals and force 22 Emory turnovers.
Wheeler finished with a team-high 13 points on 6-11 shooting in 22 minutes of action.  Simmons was the only other player to reach double-figures with 11 points.  Alyssa Jones added a solid floor game with team-highs of four assists and seven rebounds to go along with five points. 

Piedmont will return to action on Saturday, January 16 when the Lady Lions kick off a Great South Athletic Conference double-header in the Johnny Mize Center with a 2:00 tip off against Huntingdon College.

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Demorest, GA --In front of a capacity crowd the Piedmont College men's basketball team fell to in-state rival Emory University this evening by the score of 70-60 at Cave Arena. After trailing by three points at intermission the Eagles exploded with seven tri-fectas in the second frame to pull away from the cold shooting Lions.

The first half saw eight ties and six lead changes with PC claiming the largest advantage 15-11 at the 10-minute mark. With the score tied 27-27 with just over a minute remaining the Lions scored the final three points of the half off a layup from Sam Coppage and a free-throw from Michael Rubio to end the period.

After the visitors knotted the score at 40-40 with 13 minutes left the Eagles went on a 11-4 spurt off three tri-fectas to take control. Piedmont would cut the margin to five with seven minutes remaining but EU quickly answered extending the lead to as many as 13 down the stretch. The Eagles sealed the win hitting the final four shots from the charity-stripe for the 10-point win.

In the second half the visitors hit 7-14 shots from behind the arc and forced eight turnovers that led to 10 points. The squad also held the advantage on the glass (22-15) in the second period, nine of which were offensive.  The game's difference was from three-point where the Lions connected on a season-low 2-20 (10%) including 0-8 after halftime. 

The Lions held the advantage in the paint 32-20, largely due to J.C. Herebia's game-best 16 points. Point guard Mike Chatman added nine points while three teammates added six points respectively. The Eagles placed two players in double figures and hit 41% of their shots from the floor.

Piedmont, now 8-6 overall, will open Great South Athletic Conference action on Saturday, January 16th as they play host to Huntingdon College at Cave Arena beginning at 4:00.

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Demorest, GA -- The Piedmont College women's basketball team bounced back this evening against non-conference opponent Covenant College with a 56-49 victory at Cave Arena. The victory evens the season series with the Scots and gives the Lady Lions a 2-1 record at home.

In a see-saw first half that saw five lead changes and four ties the Lady Lions trailed 12-10 with just over seven minutes remaining. The squad then posted an 11-1 run over the next six minutes for the largest margin of the frame. During the stretch Lindsey Logan posted six of the women's 10 points in the paint.

The Scots, who trailed for the duration of the second period, used a 6-0 run to cut the margin to five points but saw PC answer with a 10-3 mini-spurt to lead by a contest-best 12 points down the stretch. When the final buzzer sounded the Lady Lions claimed the seven-point decision.

Sada Wheeler led the balanced attack with a her first career double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds, five of which were offensive. Lauren Anderson added 11 boards while Logan and Lindsey Wiley added nine points respectively.

Covenant committed 26 turnovers that led to 23 points and the Lady Lions dominated the paint holding the edge 26-14. PC also posted 32 points off the bench and held the Scots to a mere 25% from the floor.
The victory moves the squad to 4-9 overall. The Lady Lions will hit the road for a rematch with in-state rival Emory University on Thursday, January 14th in Atlanta, GA slated to tip-off at 6:00.

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Holly Springs, MS -- The Piedmont College men's basketball team saw its four-game winning streak come to an end this afternoon with an 89-84 road loss at Rust College.  The tightly-contested game saw the host Bearcats make the game's final run and hold on for the five-point victory.

After a Rust basket to open the game, the Lions controlled the remainder of the first half and led all the way to half where the team carried a 43-40 advantage to the locker room.

Midway through the second half the Lions would use an 8-0 run highlighted by a pair of three pointers from Josh Haymore their largest lead of the game at 67-59.  The hosts would respond with their own 11-4 run and cut the Lions' lead to a single point (71-70) with just over eight minutes left in the contest.  The game would remain a single-possession game from their until RC stretched its lead to a game-best 81-75 with 2:30 remaining.

The game was decided at the free-throw line where the Bearcats cashed in on 20-25 attempts while Piedmont was able to make good on six of just nine attempts.  The Lions connected on 12 of 26 (46%) of their threes.

Sam Coppage came off the bench to connect on 4-6 from three-point land and tally a team and season high 20 points to lead four Lions in double-figures. J.C. Herebia added 15 points on 7-8 shooting from the field and pulled down a team-best seven rebounds.  Haymore paired with teammate Michael Rubio to combine for five threes as the duo scored 13 and 12 respectively.

Piedmont will return to action on Wednesday, January 13 when the Lions play host to in-state foe Emory University with tip-off set for 7:00 in PC's Johnny Mize Athletic Center.  The game will be the first men's basketball promotion of the spring semester as the students are encouraged to back the Lions by participating in "White out the Cave."

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Decatur, GA -- The Piedmont College women's basketball team suffered its first Great South Athletic Conference setback of the year as the Lady Lions fell 65-52 at Agnes Scott College in a game that was moved up four hours to accommodate the area's snowy weather.  The loss drops PC to 3-9 overall and 3-1 in league play.

After the two teams opened the game squared up at 10-10, the host Scotties used a 17-6 run to take eventual control of the game and would hold a double-figure lead for the remainder of the half.  ASC would lead 35-21 at intermission.

Agnes Scott held its largest lead of the game 58-42 with just over four minutes remaining but Piedmont fought back wth a 10-2 run highlighted by six points from Laura Simmons who would go on to post a team-high 18 points.  The junior forward came off the bench and posted a team-best six rebounds as well.

Mandy Beasley and Lisa Jennings contributed with eight points apiece.

ASC outrebounded the Lady Lions 44-36 and held a decisive advantage from the free throw line as well (23-31 compared to PC's 12-14).  Turnovers plagued both teams as the two combined for 53 turnovers (ASC 27, PC 26).

The team will look to avenge an earlier road loss at Covenant College on Monday, January 11 when PC plays host to the Lady Scots in PC's Johnny Mize Athletic Center with tip-off set for 5:00 PM.

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Demorest, GA -- Behind a balanced offensive attack the Piedmont College men's basketball team posted its fourth consecutive victory, this afternoon at the hands of visiting North Carolina Wesleyan College by the score of 88-79.  Seven Lions notched at least nine points as the home team hit a blistering 53% of their shots from the floor.

The victory improves the men to 8-4 overall. Piedmont will hit the road for a south region showdown with Rust College in Holly Springs, MS on Sunday, January 10th starting at 3:00 EST.

After the Battling Bishops hit the first basket of the game the Lions retook the lead for good with an 8-0 run, four of which came down low from Tracey Gardner. PC would increase the margin to 14 points with 12 minutes remaining before the visitors used a 9-0 stretch to cut the deficit.

The Lions answered with a 9-0 run over the three minutes highlighted by tri-fectas from Sam Coppage and Mike Chatman. The teams would enter the locker room with PC holding a 40-30 advantage.

NC Wesleyan would cut the margin to a second half low four points at the 12 minute mark but the Lions responded with a 9-0 run sparked by a Peter Ricks old-fashioned three point play. Holding 82-76 lead with just over a minute remaining the Lions converted 4-4 shots from the charity stripe to ice the victory.

Chatman led four in double figures with 13 points  while Michael Rubio chipped in with 11. J.C. Herebia and Daniel Lampl added 10 points apiece while Gardner added a game-best 11 rebounds.

The Lions assisted on 21of 32 field goals and the men went 16-20 (80%) from the free-throw line. PC showed its depth holding the edge in bench points 38-16.

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Demorest, GA -- For the third consecutive time, the Piedmont College women's basketball team picked up a Great South Athletic Conference victory, tonight at the hands of Salem College by the score of 84-64 at Cave Arena. The Lady Lions connected on a season high 12 three-pointers en route to the season sweep over the Spirits.

Piedmont, now 3-8 overall and 3-0 in the GSAC, will hit the road for another conference showdown on Thursday, January 7th as they visit Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA with tip-off slated for 6:00.

The visiting Spirits opened the game with eight of the first 10 points and held the advantage 21-18 with seven minutes remaining. The Lady Lions answered with a 15-1 run over the next six minutes highlighted by seven points in the paint from Mandy Beasley. After taking the final lead change of the evening PC entered the locker room with a comfortable 38-25 lead.

The home team cruised in the second half and led by as many as 22 down the stretch. 12 different Lady Lions earned points in the period and when the final buzzer sounded the 20-point victory was sealed.

Sophomore Amber Satterfield came off the bench and posted a game-high and career best 24 points coming off of eight tri-fectas. Beasley narrowly missed a double double with 14 points and eight rebounds while Lindsey Wiler and Courtney Clark also earned double digits with 11 and 10 points respectively.

The women held the edge 53-11 in points off the bench and forced 13 turnovers that led to 21 points. The Lady Lions were 12-36 (33%) from behind the arc and bested the opposition 60-44 on the glass.

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Demorest, GA -- In the first game of the new decade the Piedmont College men's basketball team powered its way past USA-South member Methodist University this afternoon at Cave Arena by the score of 111-90. The Lions saw five players reach double figures in the highest scoring output of the last 63 games.

The men opened the game with an 8-0 run that spanned four and a half minutes and included a pair of tri-fectas. After building a 20-11 lead the visiting Monarchs roared back with 10-0 run to knot the score with six minutes remaining.

After the Lions took control with a 31-25 lead with four minutes to go Methodist ended the frame in a 16-7 run including five points in the final 40 seconds to take a 41-38 advantage into intermission.

In the second half Piedmont came out with an 8-2 mini run to regain the lead. The final lead change of the contest came six minutes into the period as part of 13-5 run in which Josh Haymore posted eight points including a pair from behind the arc.

The Lions continued the onslought of offense and led by as many as 25 down the stretch. For the second half the home team hit 20-26 (77%) from the floor and 5-9 (56%) from behind the three-point line.

Senior Michael Rubio posted a career high 31 points including 17-19 (90%) from the charity stripe.  J.C. Herebia added 14 points in only 17 minutes of work while Mike Chatman and Josh Haymore added 13 points respectively. Tracey Gardner narrowly missed a double double with 12 points and eight rebounds.

For the game the Lions forced 21 turnovers that led to 32 points. The squad converted 29-50 (58%) of its attempts from the floor and knocked down 11-25 (44%) from behind the arc.

The victory moves Piedmont to 7-4 overall and 2-1 at home in Cave Arena. The men will return to the hardwood again on Tuesday, January 5th as they play host to visiting North Carolina Wesleyan College at 4:00.

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